Surgical Treatment of Ingrown Toenail without Matricectomy

Abstract

Ingrown toenail results from the compression of the lateral nail folds on the nail plate. This study shows that ingrown toenail can be surgically treated without matricectomy. A large volume of soft tissue surrounding the nail plate should be removed to decompress the nail and reduce inflammation. Cosmetic results are excellent and superior to the classical Emmert plasty. Postoperative nail dystrophies and spicule formation are not observed. The main advantage of this surgical approach is the complete preservation of the anatomy and function of the nail to improve both therapeutic and cosmetic results.

Partial Excision of Matrix and Phenolic Ablation for the Treatment of Ingrowing Toenail: A 36-Month Follow-Up of 197 Treated Patients

“…9,[21][22][23][24][25] The literature contains many descriptions of the effectiveness, cure rates, and complications of matrix cauterization with phenol for the treatment of ingrowing nails. 17,[26][27][28][29] The follow-up periods are important for evaluating the success of this procedure, because recurrence may occur even 1 or 2 years later.…”

Controversies in the Treatment of Ingrown Nails

“…From there a second incision runs laterally to remove an elliptic wedge of soft tissue. The incisions are performed down to the lower third of the toe, to remove a large piece of soft tissue, but with preservation of some skin of the lateral aspect of the nail to permit direct closure with interrupted 4/0 stitches [49]. …”

Lateral Foldplasty with or without Partial Matricectomy for the Management of Ingrown Toenails

“…There is no consensus as to the best surgical technique for treatment of ingrown toenails. 12 Surgical techniques can target the nail, the fold, or both. 3 Although recurrence rates are lower with phenol ablation, postoperative wound infection is a major problem.…”

“…11 The major problems with these therapeutic options are the high rate of recurrence, delayed wound healing, postoperative infection, production of nonnatural narrowed nail or scar with poor cosmetic results, and restriction of daily activities. 6,12 This retrospective study was aimed at evaluation of our new surgical technique of lateral foldplasty (LFP), with limited lateral matrix resection (LLMR) in some cases, for the management of ingrown toenails with regard to recurrence rates, spicule formations, local infection, partial flap necrosis, and cosmetic outcome.…”